Method and apparatus for forming an unmixed layer of a first liquid in or on a second liquid contained in a vessel

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for forming an unmixed layer of a first liquid on or beneath the surface of a second liquid contained in a separate vessel. An upper receptacle receives and dispenses a first liquid onto a collar attached to the upper receptacle through outlets in the lower portion of the upper receptacle. The collar guides the first liquid to the outer walls of a second lower distribution member attached along to the bottom of the upper receptacle. The first liquid is evenly distributed from a lower edge of the distribution member onto or beneath the surface of a second liquid in a separate vessel. The first liquid forms an unmixed, separated liquid layer from the second liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing and distributing a liquid. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for dispensing and distributing an unmixed layer of a first liquid having a first density upon the surface of or within a second liquid having a second density which is contained in a separate vessel. More specifically, the invention relates to a device used by bartenders, baristas, and others to aid in the preparation of layered beverages.

Currently, those preparing layered beverages use a “bar spoon” to distribute a first layer of liquid on the surface of a second liquid in a separate vessel. The spoon is generally about ten inches long including about nine inches being a twisted handle section. The user slowly pours the first liquid down the handle with the liquid flowing off of the base of the spoon onto the second liquid. The spreading out of the surface area of the first liquid as it flows off of the broad spoon base distributes the force of the flowing first liquid over a wider surface on the second liquid. This reduces the likelihood of the first liquid breaking the surface tension of the second liquid or disturbing the second liquid. Thus, the first liquid forms an even, unmixed layer upon the surface of the second liquid.

The disadvantage of the bar spoon is that it requires a skilled operator to pour slowly, hold the spoon at the proper angle above the second liquid, and not create a disturbance of the second liquid resulting in a mixing of the two liquids. The present invention is simple to use enabling a novice to dispense and distribute the first liquid as an even, unmixed layer upon the surface of the second liquid, or even within a strata beneath the surface of.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation plan view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the present inventive device disposed above the surface of a liquid (beverage) contained in a separate vessel.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the flow of a first liquid from the upper chamber, through the dispersal outlets, down the inside surface of the dispersal collar, and onto the outer surface of the second inverted chamber.

FIG. 4 further illustrates the first liquid evenly distributed over the outer surface of the lower inverted chamber and flowing off the lower edge onto the surface of the second liquid in the separate container.

FIG. 5 shows the formation of a layered beverage with the first liquid resting unmixed on the surface of the second liquid.

FIG. 6 shows the formation of a layered beverage with the first liquid disposed unmixed beneath the surface of the second liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present layering tool (10) for dispensing and distributing a liquid. The tool (10) has a receptacle or an upper chamber (12) with sufficient volume to hold an amount of a first liquid. The chamber (12) has upwardly extending sidewalls (14), an opening (16) at the top (17) for admission of the first liquid, and a base (18) which forms the bottom of the chamber (12). The sidewalls (14) may be sloped outwardly from the base (18) to the top (17) to form a truncated cone shaped chamber to receive the first liquid. An outlet or plurality of outlets (20) are disposed in the lower portion of the upper chamber (12). Outlets (20) allows for fluid communication between the inside of the chamber (12) and the outside of the chamber. Thus, a liquid poured into the opening (16) of upper chamber (12) may flow out the lower portion of the chamber. The outlets may be holes or slots variously spaced apart to improve the smooth and even dispensing of the first liquid from the upper chamber.

FIG. 1 also shows that a dispersal collar (30) is attached to the upper receptacle (12). The collar (30) may be circumferentially attached along a first edge (32) to the outside surface (33) of the sidewalls (14). The collar (30) is a thin ring which acts as a “skirt” around the lower portion of the upper chamber above the outlets (20). The inner wall surface (34) of the collar is spaced apart from the lower portion of the upper chamber below the outlets (20) and above the base (18). A gap or space is thus formed between the inner wall surface of the collar and the lower portion of the upper chamber (12).

A distribution member (40) is attached to the bottom of the upper receptacle (12). A lower, inverted chamber (40) may be attached at its top (42) to the base (18) of upper chamber (12). Distribution member (40) has downwardly depending sidewalls (44). Where the distribution member (40) is an inverted chamber, the sidewalls extend from the top (42) to a lower outer edge (46). The sidewalls of the distribution member extend outwardly below the bottom edge (36) of the collar. In inverted chamber (40), the sidewalls (44) are gradually sloped outwardly from the top (42) to the bottom edge (46). As may be seen in FIG. 1, the sidewalls (44) extend below the bottom edge (36) of the collar (30).

The distribution member (40) may have a truncated cone shape as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the outer surface (43) of the distribution member sidewalls (44) provide a smooth and even flow surface (43) for the first liquid as it flows off the lower outer edge (46). Chamber (40) may have an opening (48) providing access to the inside volume of the lower chamber. As will be seen below, this allows the tool (10) to be inserted below the top surface of the second liquid sufficiently to allow the first liquid to form an unmixed liquid layer beneath the top surface of the second liquid.

A handle (50) may be attached to the tool above the lower outer edge (46) to facilitate holding the tool as the first liquid is dispensed and distributed into the vessel containing the second liquid.

FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate a method whereby a first liquid is distributed as an unmixed layer upon the surface of a second liquid contained in a separate vessel. FIG. 6 shows how an unmixed layer of the first liquid may be distributed beneath the surface of the second liquid.

FIG. 2 illustrates the tool (10) with handle (50) disposed above the top surface (60) of a second liquid or beverage (62) contained in a separate vessel (64). It should be understood that the sizes and volumes of the tool (10) and vessel (64) may vary to meet the desires of the user.

FIG. 3 shows that after obtaining a quantity of a first liquid (70) from a container (72), and after obtaining a vessel (64) containing a second liquid (62), the first liquid (70) has been poured through opening (16) in the upper chamber (12). The liquid (70) has been communicated from inside the upper chamber to the outside of the chamber through outlets (20). The liquid (70) has projected or “squirted” out of outlets (20) onto the inner wall surface (34) of the dispersal collar (30), off the bottom edge (36) of collar (20), and onto the outer surface (43) of the lower chamber (40)

FIG. 4 illustrates the first liquid (70) generally, evenly distributed over the outer surface (48) of the lower inverted chamber (40), and flowing off the lower edge (46) onto the surface (60) of the second liquid (62) in vessel (64). Because the liquid (70) is generally, evenly distributed from the lower edge (46), the liquid (70) does not break the surface tension of or disrupt the second liquid (62) and remains unmixed with the second liquid.

FIG. 5 shows the device (10) above the layered beverage (80) wherein the first liquid (70) is disposed, unmixed, resting on the surface (60) of the second liquid (62) in the vessel (64).

An additional aspect of the present inventive tool and method is shown in FIG. 6. When the device (10) is initially placed below the surface (60) of the second liquid (62) and the first liquid (70) is poured into the device (10), a layered beverage (82) may be formed with the first liquid disposed unmixed beneath the surface of the second liquid. This may be achieved because the first liquid (70) is distributed into the second (62) so as not to disturb or agitate the second fluid. This method of forming a layered beverage is particularly effective when the densities of the two liquids (70 and 64) are different.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. On the contrary, various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications, alternatives, and equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for forming an unmixed layer of a first liquid on or beneath the surface of a second liquid contained in a separate vessel comprising: an upper receptacle for receiving said first liquid, said receptacle having a bottom, upwardly extending sidewalls, and an outlet in a lower portion of said sidewalls; a dispersal collar attached to said upper receptacle above said outlet, said collar extending downwardly and spaced apart from an outside surface of said upper chamber sidewalls below said outlet; and a distribution member attached to said bottom of said upper chamber and having downwardly depending sidewalls extending below a bottom edge of said collar, said distribution member having lower outer edges for distributing said first liquid on or beneath said surface of said second liquid.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handle attached above said lower outer edges of said distribution member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said downwardly depending sidewalls slope outwardly from below said bottom edge of said collar.
 4. An apparatus for dispensing and distributing a liquid comprising: an upper chamber for receiving and dispensing said liquid, said chamber having a base and upwardly extending sidewalls, a plurality of outlets in said sidewalls, said outlets in fluid communication between an inside and outside of said upper chamber; a dispersal collar circumferentially attached along a front edge to an outside surface of said upwardly extending sidewalls of said upper chamber above said outlets, said collar extending downwardly and spaced apart from said outside surface of said sidewalls below said outlets; and a lower inverted chamber attached at a top to said upper chamber base and having sidewalls downwardly depending from said top and extending below a second edge of said dispersal collar, said lower chamber having a lower outer edge for distributing said liquid.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a handle attached above said lower outer edge of said lower inverted chamber.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said downwardly depending sidewalls slope outwardly from said top of said lower inverted chamber to said lower outer edge.
 7. A method for distributing an unmixed layer of a first liquid on or beneath the surface of a second liquid contained in a vessel comprising the steps of: obtaining a quantity of said first liquid; obtaining said vessel containing said second liquid; pouring said first liquid into dispensing and distributing device comprising: an upper chamber for receiving and dispensing said first fluid, said chamber having a base and upwardly extending sidewalls; a plurality of outlets in said sidewalls; communicating said first fluid from inside said upper chamber to an outside of said upper chamber through said outlets; contacting said communicated first fluid from said outlets with a dispersal collar circumferentially attached along a first edge to an outside surface of said upwardly extending upper chamber sidewalls above said outlets, said collar extending downwardly and spaced apart from said outside surface of said upper chamber sidewalls below said outlets; flowing said communicated first liquid from said dispersal collar onto a lower inverted chamber attached at a top to said upper chamber base and having sidewalls downwardly depending below a second edge of said dispersal collar, said lower inverted chamber having a lower outer edge; locating said lower outer edge of said lower chamber above or below a surface of said second liquid contained in said vessel; and distributing said communicated first liquid from said lower outer edge to or beneath said surface of said second liquid as said unmixed layer.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said device further comprises a handle attached above said lower outer edge of said lower chamber.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein said downwardly depending sidewalls of said lower inverted chamber slope outwardly from said top of said lower inverted chamber. 